Apparatus to construct masonries



March 8, 1966 H. w. MOCLARNEY APPARATUS TO CONSTRUCT MASONRIES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1963 FLUID SUPPLY March 8, 1966 w MCCLARNEY 3,238,589

APPARATUS TO CONSTRUCT MASONRIES March 8, 1966 H. w. M CLARNEY APPARATUS TO CONSTRUCT MASONRIES Filed Nov. 4, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. fimwy WW6 U/Wmg BY MWWWZZ United States Patent 3,238,589 APPARATUS T0 CONSTRUCT MASONRIE Harry W. Mctilarney, 5621 Westlawn, Waco, Tex. Filed Nov. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 321,249 13 Claims. (Cl. -1)

My invention relates to structural masonries and more particularly to improved unit holder apparatus utilized to construct such masonries. The terms masonry or masonries are used hereinafter in the general sense of: that which is built by a mason; anything constructed of materials such as stone, brick or tiles, or any other materials used or useable by masons.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 306,766, filed September 5, 1963, there are disclosed several types of unit holders which are utilized with other apparatus to construct masonries. The instant application is directed to an improved type of unit holder, which is also utilized with other apparatus to construct masonries.

Thus, the general object of the present invention is to provide an improved unit holder for use in the construction of masonries.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus which locates and maintains units of a masonry or panel sections of a masonry in a predetermined uniformly aligned arrangement until cementally bonded into a common mass.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry or panel sections of a masonry which effectively and significantly reduces the time to construct such masonries.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for use in constructing a masonry or panel sections of a masonry, that positions and maintains the units thereof in positive front face alignment until cementally bonded into a common mass.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for use in constructing masonries that readily accepts and positively holds unsymmetrical or irregular mass produced units of masonry until cementally bonded into a common mass.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved unit holder apparatus for use in constructing masonries that is mechanically simple and relatively trouble-free.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for use in constructing masonries that is capable of gripping and holding the units thereof regardless of the surface characteristics of the units.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for use in constructing double-wall type masonries that is capable of gripping and holding random units of different sizes in each of the double Walls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for use in constructing masonries that positions and maintains the units thereof in both front and bottom face alignment until cementally bonded into a common mass.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved unit holder apparatus for use in constructing masonries that readily admits of varying the pattern and arrangement of the units in a masonry.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description taken in accordance with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a unit holder apparatus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing it as it appears in four typical stages in the construction of a masonry;

3,238,589 Patented Mar. 8, 1965 FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with a portion of the front panel removed to more clearly show the interior mechanrsm;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken at line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevational view of the unit holder of FIG. 1 showing it in one operative position;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevational view of the unit holder of FIG. 1 showing it in another operative position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view, partly in section, of the unit holder of FIG. 1 showing the units positioned in place preparatory to pouring the cementatory bonding substance;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevational view of the unit holder of FIG. 1 showing one completed masonry and a fragment of another completed masonry, both removed from the unit holder;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic arrangement of a control system of the unit holder of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken at line IXIX of FIG. 2 with some of the spring members removed for clarification purposes.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates, in perspective, apparatus including a unit holder in accordance with the present invention, being used to construct a typical masonry. The apparatus comprises generally a fixed base structure 95, the unit holder 11, a unit spacer or grid structure 107, a pair of movable dollies 105, and joint form boards 109. Each item of apparatus will be presently described in conjunction with other more detailed figures in the drawings, or an appropriate reference will be made to my aforementioned co-pending applicati-on.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is illustrated the unit holder 11 of the present invention which basically comprises: front and back panel members 13, 15; top and bottom members 17; end wall members 19; and a unit holder control apparatus 21. The front and back panel members 13, 15 respectively are generally rectangular plates that may be of any suitable material, such as aluminum, in which there are a plurality of uniformly spaced apart apertures 23. The apertures 23 are preferably generally rectangular and are uniformly arranged in vertical columns and in generally horizontal rows. The lateral spacing of the apertures is preferably about one-half the length of a unit of masonry, though, of course, this spacing may vary to suit a particular application or applications. Furthermore, the apertures 23, in both the front and back panel members 13, 15, are symmetrically arranged and are substantially in registration, as may be noticed by referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. The perimetrical edge of each aperture 23 is recessed (see FIG. 3) for a purpose that will be explained hereinafter. On the outer surface of both the front and back panel members there are secured a plurality of fixed unit supporting bars 25 which are arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows; the bars 25 being located between the apertures and generally on the lateral or horizontal axis of the apertures. It is desirable that the vertical spacing between the rows of fixed unit supporting bars 25 is somewhat greater than the nominal thickness of a unit of masonry, for a purpose that will be explained later. The front and back panel members 13, 15 are supported peripherally along the top and bottom edges by rectangular plate members 17, and similarly along the vertical edges by the end wall members 19. The front and back panel members 13, 15 may be fastened to the top, bottom and end wall members by screw fasteners 20 or in any suitable manner and, of course, these members may also be made of any suitable material, such as aluminum. At more or less regularly spaced vertical intervals, the front and back panel members 13, 15, as well as the end Wall members 19, are further supported by one or more rectangular shaped notched plate members 27, each having notches shaped about as shown in FIG. 9. The horizontal rectangular notched plates 27 are also supported at convenient laterally spaced apart intervals by vertically extending plates 29, as may be noticed by referring to FIG. 1.

There is disposed Within the space bounded by the front and back, top and bottom, and end wall members, a unit gripping mechanism 31. The mechanism 31 includes a plurality of horizontally disposed movable unit gripper bars 33 which extend outwardly through the respective apertures 23 in the front and back panel members 13, 15. The lower outer surface of the gripper bars 33, it will be noticed, are preferably serrated so as to more securely hold the units in the manner to be described hereinafter. In each gripper bar 33, there is provided, preferably, three holes, two of which 35, 37 are spaced about equally from a slightly smaller hole 39 located centrally in the gripper bar 33. A vertical guide rod 41 is slideably fitted in the central hole 39 and its threaded upper end portion is fastened, as by a pair of nuts 43, to a crosshead plat-e member 45 which in turn extends generally horizontally throughout the length of the unit holder 11. The vertical guide rod 41 is also sli-deable in a hole 47 in the notched plate member 27. To the crosshead plate member 45 there is also fastened a pair of gripper bar actuator rods 49, 51 which extend vertically through the holes 35, 37 and which are loosely fitted therein for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. The threaded upper end portion of each actuator rod 49, 51 may also be conveniently secured to the crosshead plate member 45 by means of a pair of the nuts 43. The actuator rods 49, 51, it will be noticed, extend through the notches in the notched plate member 27. Immediately beneath each unit gripper bar 33 there is provided, on each actuator rod, an adjustable collar 53 which may be secured to the actuator rod by means of a set screw 55 or any other suitable means. Beneath the collar 53, or beneath the lower nut 43 as the case may be, and the next lower gripper bar 33, there is provided a compression type of spring 57, which surrounds the respective actuator rod 49 or 51 and which bears against the collar 53 at one end and the gripper bar 33 at the other end. These springs 57 urge and maintain the gripper bars 33 in contact with the collars 53, which may be adjusted and fixedly located on the rods so as to maintain a uniform vertical spacing between the gripper bars.

Between the crosshead plate member 45 and the top plate 17 there is horizontally disposed an actuator rod drive shaft 59 which is journally mounted in the end wall members 19 and journally supported intermediately along the shaft as may be preferred or necessary. The end portions of the shaft 59 extend beyond the end walls 19 and retaining collars 60 may be secured thereon by a set screw 61 or in any other appropriate manner. On the actuator rod drive shaft 59 there is fixed at convenient intervals a plurality of groups of actuator elements; each group comprising a cam 62 and a pinion 63 arranged in side by side relation as may be noticed by referring to FIG. 2. It is convenient to locate each group of actuator elements adjacent pairs of columns of gripper bars 33. Each pinion engages and is driven by a rack 65 which has a lower extension portion 67 that reciprocates in a suitable aperture in the crosshead plate 45 and which is connected at the upper end to a piston (not shown) in the cylinder and piston assembly 69, a part of the control apparatus 21. A rectangular shaped plate structure 71, having a rectangular opening 73 therein is also fixed to the crosshead plate member 45 and is located with relation to each cam 61 so that the cam surface may engage the upper or the lower horizontal surfaces of the open rectangular member 71, as may be noticed by referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. The control apparatus 21 also includes a plurality of pairs of shelf angle actuating cylinders and pistons '75, 77 similar to those which have been described and explained in the aforementioned co'pending application. A plurality of shelf angle members 79, 81 are slideably mounted on the front and back panel members 13, 15, as may be noticed by referring to FIG. 1, and each is connected by means of a grooved nut 33 to a piston rod 35 extending from the cylinder and piston assemblies 75, 77.

Since it is desirable to prevent mortar or other cementat-ory bonding substance from contaminating the gripping mechanism 31, it is convenient to seal each aperture 23 with a suitable resilient, impervious membrane 87. The membrane 87 may be secured to the aforementioned recessed peripheral edge of each aperture in any appropriate manner; one such manner being a rectangular frame 89 which is held in place by screws 91. The membrane 87 may, of course, be secured to the gripper bars 33 in any appropriate manner, one such manner being a resilient retaining ring 93.

In one application, it is convenient to set and establish the unit holder 11 on a rigid ground engaging support structure 95, and to fix the holder thereto in an appropriate manner. One such manner is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 and includes an inverted channel member 97 which is secured to the ground, or other supporting medium, by means of suitable anchor bolts 99. The anchor bolts 99 extend upwardly through holes in the channel member 97 and the bottom member 17 (see FIG. 1) and the bolts 99 are provided with nuts 101 which hold the unit holder in place.

A plurality of elongate rail members 103 each having a triangular cross section are secured to the support base and extend perpendicularly from the channel member 97 on each side, about as shown in FIG. 1. The rails 103 are spaced apart a convenient uniform distance and support on each side of the unit holder 11, a masonry dolly 105; each dolly being provided with a plurality of V-grooved wheels which engage and cooperate with the rail members 103.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated, among other things, one form of a unit spacer or grid structure 107 which is similar to that shown and described in my aforementioned copending application.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a fragment of one type of joint form board 109 which is also shown in FIG. 6. The joint form board comprises a rectangular plate member 111 on one surface of which there is secured, by a suitable adhesive or other appropriate means, a resilient foam rubber-type mat covering 113. On the opposite surface of the joint form board 109 there is fixed a plurality of angle members 115 which extend horizontally on the joint form board and a short distance beyond the longitudinal extremities of the plate member 111. In each extending angle portion there is a hole (not shown) through which projects the threaded end portion of a joint form board clamping bolt member 117 on which retaining nuts 119 are threaded to hold and maintain the joint form boards in position, as may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 6.

To understand the mode of operation of the unit holder 11, reference may be made initially to FIG. 4. It will be convenient to describe the mode of operation of the unit holder 11 in the construction of panel sections of a masonry or masonries, but it should be recognized that the unit holder 11 may be readily and conveniently used to construct other types of masonries.

The unit holder 11 is set and established on the base stucture by tightening the nuts 101 on the anchor bolts 99; the rail members 103 may, of course, be secured to the ground or supporting structure in any appropriate manner, as mentioned previously. The control apparatus 21, as described in my co-pending application, has fluid connections to admit fluid to the pistons for operational purposes. The control apparatus 21 is connected to a common fluid supply source under pressure in accordance with the arrangement suggested in the control system diagram FIG. 8. The shelf angles 79, 81 may be raised to their uppermost position, or about where shown in FIG. 5, by actuating or opening the valve V2 so that fluid from the Fluid Supply acts on the pistons P1, P2 in each group and causes them to move upward. The shelf angles may now be adjusted to a common horizontal level in the manner described in my co-pending application.

The next step in the procedure is to place the unit spacers or grid structures 107 in position adjacent the front and back faces of the unit holder. In such position, the underneath surface of the top-most horizontal plate of the grid structure rests on the upper surfaces of the shelf angles, and the grid structure depends therefrom, as shown in FIG. 5. The inner edges of the vertical and horizontal plates of the grid structures will be parallel to and spaced slightly from the front and back faces of the unit holder 11.

After the unit spacers or grids 107 are set in place, a unit of masonry may be inserted into each unit space in the respective grid, except that no units of masonry are placed in the spaces of the top horizontal row; these unit spaces are purposely not filled. After all of the unit spaces have been filled, the several units may be moved toward the unit holder by placing a fiat surfaced member against the front faces of the units and moving the member toward the unit holder. In this manner, or in any other appropriate manner, the several units will be positioned in predetermined front face alignment.

It should be mentioned at this point, that the grid structure, which is shown in FIG. 1, is designed to hold the units in the usual staggered arrangement. However, it will be recognized that the unit spaces in the grid structure may be disposed in a variety of ways, to provide a variety of unit patterns and arrangements. In some applications, some of the units may be disposed vertically and some horizontally. The vertically disposed units would, of course, have appropriate grooves in the back vertical surface, or the surface next adjacent to the unit holder; the grooves being for the purpose of holding the units in the manner to be presently described.

Now, then, when the units have been moved toward the unit holder to a proper position, with the rear edge portion of the top and bottom surfaces (or the grooves as just mentioned) located between the several rows of the fixed supporting bars and the movable gripper bars 33, the valve V4 may be manipulated or actuated to move the rack members 65 in the upward direction. As a result of this upward rack movement, the pinion 63 rotates clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 3) and the cam 6 also moves clockwise. The cam then engages the lower horizontal member of the rectangular plate 71 and urges it and the crosshead plate 45 downward. When the crosshead plate moves downward, the actuator rods 49, 51 move downward likewise and so do the gripper bars 33. It will be observed, by referring to FIG. 4, that the set screw 61 is in the vertical position when the gripper bars 33 are in their normal upward position. In FIG. 5, it will be noted, the gripper bars 33 are in their downward position, having been moved there to by the rotational movement of the shaft 59 and the cam 62, and this downward position is indicated by the new location of the set screw 61. The gripper bars 33 in one horizontal row engage the upper edge portion of the units and coact with the fixed support bars 25 in the next lower horizontal row, which engage the lower edge portion of the units. The fixed and movable bars therefore cooperate to hold and maintain the units in position as determined by the orientation of the unit spaces in the grid structure 107. Now, since the several gripper and support bars are capable of supporting, in cantilever fashion, one or more units of masonry without the benefit of the unit spacer or grid structure, the grid structure may be removed. It is, however, necessary to first lower the shelf angles. To accomplish this, the valve V2 is closed and the valve V1 is opened; whereupon the pistons P1 and P2 of the control apparatus 21 move downward. The stroke of each piston P1 and P2, in a typical embodiment, is only about onesixteenth of an inch; this being a sufiicient distance to free the grid structure from the units. The unit spacer or grid is now no longer in contact with the units and so the grid may be readily withdrawn from between the several units, leaving the units entirely supported by the unit holder, as may be seen by referring to the lower right hand region of FIG. 1. As soon as the grid structure has been withdrawn and removed, the valve V1 is closed and the valve V2 is opened; the shelf angles being moved upward again to their normal raised position.

The next step in the procedure is to move the dollies Hi5 toward the support structure and to secure the dollies thereagainst in any suitable, releasable manner. The dollies will then be located about where shown in FIG. 1, as well as in FIGS. 5 and 6. It will be noticed by referring to FIG. 6, that the lowermost movable gripper bars 33 may engage the rearward top edge portion of the dollies and thus serve to secure them in position. A filler plate 121 of any suitable material may now be inserted between the lowermost units and the dolly, on each side of the unit holder, and the joint form boards 111 may be placed in position. The foam-rubber type mat 113 is placed against the vertical front surfaces of the units and maintained there while the bolts 117 are inserted through the holes in the projecting angle members and the nuts 119 are applied thereto and tightened. Of course, suitable closure means (not shown) may be provided and secured across the ends of the unit holder to prevent spillage of the cementatory bonding substance from the end joints. By tightening the nuts 119, the joint form boards on each side of the unit holder are drawn together and the foam-rubber type mat is impressed into the vertical and horizontal joint spaces between the units, as may be noticed by referring to FIG. 6. The upper right hand region of FIG. 1 represents a section of a masonry which is being constructed in accordance with the steps of the procedure as described so far.

The next step in the procedure is to bond the units of masonry together to form, on each side of the unit holder, a common mass. Preferably, this is done by pouring a mortar type of bonding substance onto the units at the top of the joint form board. Any one of the conventional types 'of mortar that is satisfactory may be used; such mortar comprising generally a plastic mixture of cementitious materials, fine aggregate and water. It is preferred that the cementatory bonding substance, or mortar, have a consistency of grout so that it may readily permeate the interstices between and through the units and. thus form a more complete bond between the units. The mortar, while filling the voids between the units, will normally drive off entrapped air, if any there be, past the joint form board mat, and the mortar will attain adequate compaction without the necessity of vibrating the mass. However, if preferred, the mass of mortar may be vibrated in any appropriate manner.

After the mortar has set sufiiciently, which in a typical case may occur within about thirty minutes after pouring, the joint form boards may be removed and the masonries may be moved on the dollies away from the unit holder. It is only necessary to loosen and remove the nuts 119 and bolts 117, whereupon the joint form boards 111 may be readily removed, and the valve V3 may be closed and the valve V4 opened so as to raise the gripper bars 33 to their normal position. When so raised, the dollies are free to move (any other stop means should be removed so as to free the dollies) and the masonries supported thereon may be removed outwardly from the unit holder as indicated generally in FIG. 7. The unit holder 11 may now be cleaned of any loose mortar, if necessary, and is ready for use in constructing other masonries.

It is a feature of the present invention that the unit holder apparatus thereof is automatically self-adjusting, within practical limits, to accommodate random sizes and irregular shapes of the ordinary unit of masonry. It will be noticed, upon referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, that the gripper bars 33 have a fixed (yet adjustable) vertical spacing, which is determined by the location of the respective collars 53 on the actuator rods. Yet, the gripper bars 33 are resiliently biased by the springs 57 so that they may freely move upwardly on the actuator rods any necessary amount to accommodate a particular shaped unit. Moreover, the gripper bars 33 are only guided by the actuator rods 49, 51 which pass freely through the hole 35, 37 respectively and the gripper bars are not restrained from canting slightly upward or downward as necessary. In a typical embodiment, the downward movement of the gripper bars may be about fivesixteenths of an inch which is suflicient to grip and. hold the usual random size mass produced units.

It is another feature of the present invention that the unit holder thereof may be used to construct double-wall types of masonries: such unit holder, or unit holders may be set up and established temporarily on an existing foundation or sill; unit spacers or grids are suspended from the prealigned. and leveled shelf angles; the unit spacer or grid is loaded with appropriate units of masonry which are aligned and moved into proper position; the unit holder gripper mechanism is actuated to grip and hold the units; the shelf angles are lowered and the grid structure removed; joint form boards are placed in position adjoining the exposed front surfaces of the units and are held and maintained in position by suitable bolts and nuts; a grout-like cementatory bonding substance or mortar is poured into the joint spaces between the units until all spaces are filled; the joint form boards are removed after the bonding substance or mortar has set and one masonry is moved laterally from the other a suflicient distance to provide enough space to remove the unit holder; and thereafter the one masonry is returned to its designated position.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder thereof is capable of handling ordinary, massproduced units of masonry regardless of surface characteristics or thickness.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder, and the mechanism thereof, is both simple mechanically and relatively trouble-free; which of course, enhances the practicability and versatility of the apparatus.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder and the gripper mechanism thereof will grip and hold any standard unit of masonry without the necessity of providing special holding means or surfaces on the unit.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder gripper mechanism provides a positive gripping action and the units are firmly held by it until the cementatory bonding substance is set sufiiciently for the masonry to be removed.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder and the gripper mechanism thereof will readily accommodate and handle any one or more of the ordinary units which may vary considerably in width, and yet the unit holder will grip and hold them along with other units, in such a Way that the units of the entire masonry will be positioned in positive front face alignment.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder thereof may be used to construct simultaneously one or more panel sections of a masonry, or the 8 same may be used to construct simultaneously a double- Wall type of masonry.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder produces masonries having a high degree of uniformity when the holder is used in accordance with the principles set forth herein. After the unit holder has been set and established, the bottom and front faces of the units of masonry will be positively aligned and a uniformly arranged masonry will result.

Another feature of the present invention is that the unit holder is both quick and versatile in operation. It should be evident that it takes a considerably longer time to construct a certain size masonry by hand than it does to construct the same size of masonry, using the apparatus of the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is that practically no tooling, patching or pointing-up of joints is required after the apparatus has been used to construct a masonry and the masonry or masonries have been removed.

Another feature of the present invention is that the initial capital investment for the unit holder apparatus is not excessive, but is entirely reasonable considering the many features and advantages that accrue therefrom.

The foregoing disclosure and the showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion including a pair of spaced apart members each having therein a plurality of uniformly spaced apart apertures with the apertures in one said member being in substantial registration with the apertures in the other said member, and supporting members secured to said members and maintaining the same in parallel spaced apart relation;

(b) a plurality of spaced apart fixed bars arranged in a plurality of rows on a respective outer surface of said members and located between and generally in axial alignment with the axes of said apertures;

(c) a plurality of movable bars each being disposed in a registered pair of apertures located between and in a first position in axial alignment with the adjacent fixed bars;

(d) a plurality of actuating rods supported by said members;

(e) a rotatable shaft journaled to said main body portion;

(f) cam means fixed to said shaft;

(g) linkage means connected to said actuator rods and engageable with said cam means;

(h) means operatively linking said actuator rods and said movable bars;

(i) means for rotating said shaft and causing said cam and linkage means to actuate said rods and move said movable bars from said first position to a second position relative to said fixed bars.

2. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising: (a) a main body portion including a pair of spaced apart members each having therein a plurality of uniformly spaced apart apertures with the apertures in one said member being in substantial registration with the apertures in the other said member, and supporting members secured to said members and maintaining the same in parallel spaced apart relation;

(b) a plurality of spaced apart fixed bars arranged in a plurality of rows on a respective outer surface of said members and located between and in generally axial alignment with the axes of said apertures;

(c) a plurality of movable bars each being disposed in a registered pair of apertures located between and in a first position in axial alignment with adjacent fixed bars;

(d) a plurality of actuating rods supported by said members;

(e) means operatively linking said actuator rods and said movable bars;

(f) means engaging said rods to move said movable bars to a second position relative to said fixed bars and maintaining the same thereat; and

g) means actuating said rods and movable bars to move said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

3. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion including a pair of spaced apart parallel members, each having therein a plurality of spaced apart apertures with the apertures in one said member being substantially in registration with the apertures in the other said member and supporting members secured to said members and maintaining the same in such spaced apart relation;

(b) a plurality of spaced apart fixed bars arranged linearly in a plurality of rows on a respective outer surface of each said member and located between and generally in axial alignment with the axes of said apertures;

(c) a plurality of movable bars each extending through a respective pair of apertures in register, said bars being disposed in a first position in axial linear alignment with the said fixed bars in each row;

(d) means for moving said movable bars and maintaining them in a second position relative to said fixed bars; and

(e) means for moving said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

4. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion having a front face and a back face;

(b) a plurality of bars fixed to said front and said back faces, said bars being disposed in spaced apart arrangement in each of a plurality of spaced apart parallel rows on each said front and back face;

() a plurality of movable bars disposed in a first position between adjacent fixed bars in each said linear arrangement; and

(d) means for moving said movable bars from said first position to a second position and maintaining the same thereat in relation to said fixed bars; and

(e) means for moving said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

5. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion;

(b) a plurality of spaced apart rows of fixed bars mounted on one surface of said main body, each said row including a plurality of fixed spaced apart unit engaging bars;

(c) a plurality of movable unit engaging bars disposed in a first position between adjacent fixed bars in each row;

(d) a plurality of actuator rods mounted on said main body portion and operatively connected to respective movable bars;

(e) means for moving said actuator rods and said movable bars from said first position to a second position relative to said fixed bars;

(f) means for maintaining said movable bars at said second position; and

(g) means for moving said actuator rods and said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

6. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first body portion wherein there is a plurality of spaced apart apertures arranged in rows and in columns;

(b) a second body wherein there is a plurality of spaced apart apertures arranged in rows and in columns, each aperture in said second body portion being located in substantially opposed axial relation relative to a respective aperture in said first body portion;

(0) supporting members engaging said first and second body portions and maintaining them in spaced apart parallel relation;

(d) a plurality of fixed unit engaging bars mounted on the outer surface of each said body portion, said bars being disposed between the apertures in each row;

(e) a plurality of movable unit engaging bars extending through respective pairs of registered apertures in each body portion, said bars being disposed in a first position in axial alignment with fixed bars in each row and in columnar arrangement;

(f) at least one actuator rod operatively connecting the said movable bars in each said column thereof;

(g) means for moving said actuator rods and said movable bars from said first position to a second position in relation to said fixed bars;

(h) means for maintaining said movable bars at said second position; and

(i) means for moving said actuator rods and said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

7. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion;

(b) fixed and movable means disposed on said body and capable of acting cooperatively to engage opposite surfaces of said units of masonry so as to hold and maintain a plurality of said units in a predetermined arrangement until said cementatory bonding substance has set.

8. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masory and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatris comprising:

(a) a main body portion having a front face and a back face;

(b) fixed unit engaging means disposed on each said front face and said back face;

(c) movable unit engaging means disposed on said front face and said back face;

((1) means for moving said movable means relative to said fixed means and maintaining the same at a sufiicient distance from said fixed means to engage and hold said units of masonry in a predetermined arrangement until said cementatory bondage substance has set.

9. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion including a pair of spaced apart members each having therein a plurality of uniformly spaced apart apertures with the apertures in one said member being in substantial registration with the apertures in the other said member and supporting members secured to said members and maintaining the same in parallel spaced apart relation;

(b) a plurality of spaced apart fixed bars arranged in a plurality of rows on a respective outer surface of said members and located between and generally in axial alignment with the axes of said apertures;

(c) a plurality of movable bars each being disposed in a registered pair of apertures with each said bar having a hole therethrough;

(d) a plurality of actuator rods supported by said members with at least one actuator rod passing freely through said hole in one said movable bar;

(e) resilient bias means engaging said rod and said bar to resiliently hold said bar in a first position between and in axial alignment with adjacent fixed bars;

(f) means operatively linking said actuator rods;

(lg) means engaging said rod linking means to move the same and said movable bars to a second position relative to said fixed bars and to maintain the same thereat; and

(h) means engaging said rod linking means to move said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

10. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion including a pair of spaced apart members each having therein a plurality of uniformly spaced apart apertures with the apertures in one said member being in substantial registration with the apertures in the other said member, and supporting members secured to said members and maintaining the same in parallel spaced apart relation;

(b) a plurality of spaced apart fixed bars arranged in a plurality of rows on a respective outer surface of said members and located between and generally in axial alignment with the axes of said apertures;

(c) a plurality of movable bars each being disposed in a registered pair of apertures with each said bar having a hole therethrough;

(d) a plurality of actuator rods supported by said members with at least one actuator rod passing freely through said hole in one said movable bar;

(e) adjustable collar means disposed on said rod and supporting said movable bar in a first position between and in axial alignment with adjacent fixed bars;

(f) resilient bias means disposed adjacent said rod and engaging said bar to maintain the same in contact with said collar means;

(g) means operatively linking said actuator rods;

(b) means engaging said rod linking means to move the same and said movable bars to a second position relative to said fixed bars and to maintain the same thereat; and

(i) means engaging said rod linking means to move said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

11. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising: (a) a main body portion including a pair of spaced apart members each having therein a plurality of uniformly spaced apart apertures with the apertures in one said member being in substantial registration with the apertures in the other said member, and supporting members secured to said members and maintaining the same in parallel spaced apart relation;

(b) a plurality of spaced apart fixed bars arranged in a plurality of rows on a respective outer surface of said members and located between and generally in axial alignment with the axes of said apertures;

(c) a plurality of movable bars each being disposed in a registered pair of apertures with each said bar having a pair of spaced apart holes therethrough;

(d) a plurality of actuator rods supported by said members with a pair of said actuator rods passing freely through the pair of holes in each said movable bars;

(e) adjustable collar means disposed on each rod so as to engage one side of each said bar and support the same in a first position between and in axial alignment with adjacent fixed bars;

(Ff) resilient bias means disposed adjacent each rod and engaging the other side of each said bar to maintain the same in contact With a respective said collar means;

(g) means operatively linking said actuator rods;

(b) means engaging said rod linking means to move the same and said movable bars to a second position relative to said fixed bars and to maintain the same thereat; and

(i) means engaging said rod linking means to move said movable bars from said second position to said first position.

12. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing -a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body portion;

(b) fixed and movable means disposed on said body and capable of acting cooperatively to resiliently engage opposite surfaces of said uni-ts of masonry so as to hold and maintain a plurality of said units in a predetermined arrangement until said cementatory bonding substance has set.

13. A unit holder apparatus for use in constructing a masonry including a plurality of units of masonry and a cementatory bonding substance capable of uniting said units into a common mass, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a main body porton having a front face and a back face;

(b) fixed unit engaging means disposed on each said front face and said back face;

(c) movable resilient unit engaging means disposed on said front face and said back face;

(d) means for moving said movable means relative to said fixed means and maintaining the same at a sufiicient distance from said fixed means to engage and hold said units of masonry in a predetermined arrangement until said cementatory bonding substance has set.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 176,665 11/1953 Austria. 476,210 8/1951 Canada.

I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner. 

4. A UNIT HOLDER APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTING A MASONRY INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF UNITS OF MASONRY AND A CEMENTATORY BONDING SUBSTANCE CAPABLE OF UNITING SAID UNITS INTO A COMMON MASS, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A MAIN BODY PORTION HAVING A FRONT FACE AND A BACK FACE; (B) A PLURALITY OF BARS FIXED TO SAID FRONT AND SAID BACK FACES, SAID BARS BEING DISPOSED IN SPACED APART ARRANGEMENT IN EACH OF A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART PARALLEL ROWS ON EACH SAID FRONT AND BACK FACE; 